Pyrophoric lighter



oct. 29, 1940. A. RACEK P'momemo LIGHTER 2 Sheets-Sheet l wwf/M,

MM- I fui ve Roek A. RACEK PYROPHORIC LIGHTER oct. 29, 1940.

2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed July 20,- 1938 linnn-tg- Patented Oct. 29, 1940 y I UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Pmornonlo HGHTEB Alfred Bacek, Vienna, Germany, assigner to the firm sterr. Knopfund Metallwarenfabrik J. Meister & Co., Vienna, Germany (formerly Austria), a. company of Austria.

Application July 20, 1938, Serial No. 220,243 In Austria July 20, 1937 s olaims.. (o1. isi-41.1)

This invention relates to a friction-wheel jacket or shell receiving the fuel holder, e. g. a. pyrophoric lighter in which the spring which gasoline container, presses up the piece f pyrophorous composition Two forms of construction4 embodying the in- (flint) is mounted in the lightercasing, while vention are shown, by way of example, in the the friction-wheel, the keeperor guideway for accompanying drawings, in which: 5 the ilint, and also thelid of the lighter are Fig. 1 is a side elevation ofv a friction-wheel arranged 0n a carrying member detaehably conlighter according to the invention. nected to the body of the lighter, by means .0 1 Fig. 2 shows the shell of the lighter in longiwhich the pressing-up spring is tensioned when tudinal section. the lighter is in its operative condition, and Fig. 3 is a transverse section taken on the line 10 may be detensioned for the purpose of inserting III- III of Fig. ,2, with the pressing-up spring a flint. In the known type of lighter this carryomitted, ing member is adapted to be screwed to the Fig. 4 shows the sliding element for the fricint spring easing provided in the body of'ihe tion-wheel, lighter lid, and flint gnideway, in lighter. Which Ilot Only makes it necessary t0 side elevation and partly in longitudinal section. 5

remove the Carrying member completelywach Fig. 5 shows the same in rear elevation. time a fresh flint is to be inserted, but also takes Fig. 6 is` a side elevation of the first form of a considerable time on account of the screw construction 0f the invention. joint. Besides, the Changing of the flint offers Fig. '7 shows a modied form of construction 20 difculties, more particularly because the flint of the friction-wheel lighter inthe closed coneasily drops out during the introduction of the dition, in Side e1evation. flint Spring easing into the carrying member Fig. s shows the same in section taken on the which has to be screwed on against the action line VIII- VIII of Fig. '7, as seen from the right. 5 of the spring, in view of the fact that the flint Fig. 9 is a. side elevation of the lighter ac- 25 has to be inserted into its guideway from the cording to the invention'in the position which lower end theleefallows of its use as a torch or for lighting a pipe. A further type of lighter iS alSO known in Fig. 10 shows the lighter in the position suitwhich the carrying member furnished with able for the insertion of the flint, in side elevafriction-wheel is locked in its operative position tion, 30 by means of a snap fastener, and fOr the DUI- Fig. 11 shows the lighter in section without pose of inserting a fresh flint is adapted to be the casing jacket or shell, and pVOled about a hinge 50mi 0n the Casing 0f the Fig. l2 shows the gasoline container in side lighter. Changing flints is only possible, howelevation, ever, provided the pressing-11D Spline be first The friction-wheel or pyrophoric lighter ac- 35 suitably relieved of tension by turning the head @Ording to the present invention preferably con- 0f the spring easing which '1S adapted i0 be sists of a tubular sneu 2 which receives the re- SCIeWed apart after the manner 0f e telescope movable fuel container I, the latter being protube. The reverse procedure must also be carvided near its upper edge with air admission 40 ried out once more after the insertion 0f tille apertures 3. Shell 2 merges at the side in a fresh flint. guide casing 4 preferably of rectangular cross- 40 The present invention provides a -friction- Section From the bottom of the guide casing wheel pyrophoric lighter in which the insertion 4 which is cpan at the top, two lugs 5 are bent and replacement of the int is very considerably Gilt towards the inside at right' angles which t0 Slmphed by Vlrt'ue of the fact that the 'marrying gether constitute a pin on which the end of the 45 member furnished with the friction-wheel, flint guideway, and lighter lid and loaded by the mn? Spnpg s 1s .mtefi Asspcmted .with guige pr,essmg up Spring takes theyform of a Sliding casing 4 is a longitudinal casing 1 (Figs. 4 to. l element which is longitudinally displaceable adapted to fit its inside cross-section and acting relatively to the body of the lighter, and which as sliding element, whlch is traversed beneath is adapted to be fixed at least in the operative the fllClOn-Wheel Journal 3 the int guide 50v position requisite for igniting the lighter. In 9 extended l'fO form the hOUSlng for the fllnt further development of the invention, the fuel Spring 6. The friction-wheel journal 8 carriesy holder may also be permanently or detachably ina known manner, the freely rotatable, fricconnected for movement with the sliding eletion-wheel I0 coacting with a driving element ment, even in the case of a lighter having a. (not shown in the drawings), and the lighter 5 lus " completely relieved of' lid I2 equipped with a wick cap II; a pressure spring I3 housed in the gap between the flint guide 9 and the housing 1 of the sliding element is counter supported against the web of a stirrup I4 eccentrically connected to the lid I2 of the lighter, with the result that the lid i2 of the lighter is retained in a position corresponding to its position of closure.

The sliding element 1 thus equipped is so inserted from above into its guide casing 4, that the flint spring 6 projects with its free end in the int guide 9 lower portion of which constitutes the spring housing, while the bottom of the hus ing 1 of the sliding element is situated close above that of the guide casing 4. In this manner the flint spring 6, in spite of the displaceability of the sliding element 1, is guided throughout its length in the position appropriate for the delivery of sparks, and prevented from lateral bulging. In order that the sliding -element 1 shall not be displaced out of the guide casing 4 under the influence of the flint spring 6 acting friction-wheel I0 there is formed from the one side Wall of the casing 1 of the sliding element a spring lug I5 which, when the sliding element 1 is in its lower position, automatically snaps with a stud I6 into a detent I1, e. g. in the form of a hole, in the guide casing 4; since the contiguous side walls of the casing 1 of the sliding element and oi the guide casing 4 are thus directly utilized to form the fixing means of the sliding element it becomesunnecessary to provide separate structural elements for this purpose. A longitudinal rib I8, which narrows the transition between the shell 2 and the guide casing 4 on both sides, prevents the casing 1 of the sliding element from becoming obliquely set in its guide casing 4. The flint may be inserted through an aperture I9 in the rear wall of the casing 1 of the sliding element, and between the shanks of the stirrup I4, into a lateral aperture 2| in the flint guide 9 near the upper end thereof and lbounded by obliquely jutting out guide lugs (Fig. 5), the shanks I4 of the stirrup serving` at the same-time as guide walls leading from the aperture I9 to the guide lugs 25.

When the sliding element 1-as shown in Fig. l-is completely pushed into the guide casing 4 the lighter can be operated in the usual manner by pressure exerted upon the ribbed portion of the lid I2, particularly since owing to the stud I5 engaging in the detent I1 the sliding element 1 is held rmly in position relatively to the guide casing 4 and therefore also relatively to the fuel tank. To insert a flint in the lighter or'to change ints it is merely necessary to exert pressure upon the stud I 6 so as to force it out of the detent I1, whereupon the sliding element 1 is partly forced out of the guide casing 4 in response to the action of the int spring B which, owing to its initial tension, exerts pressure upon the friction-wheel I0. The flint spring 6 is thereby tension, for which reason this spring is not subjected to any strain at all during the inserting of the flint. After a sufficient clearance has been obtained between the free end of the flint spring 6 and the frictionwheel I0 by further pushing out the sliding element 1 if necessary the int may be inserted in the known manner.

The above disclosed arrangement of the casing 1 of the sliding element together with the parts pertaining thereto, and its ready and complete detachability from the guide casing 4 and/0r upon the the body of the lighter not only simplifies very considerably the manufacture of the lighter, but also allows oi' an easy replacement of used parts.'

The second embodiment of the lighter according-to the invention, which is shown in Figs. 7-12, and in which the parts having exact equivalents in the form of construction previously described are denoted by the same reference characters, differs from the first form of construction essentially in this that the fuel container I, which has no projecting rim at the bottom, is also connected for movement with the sliding element 1, with the result that the fuel tank I participates in the longitudinal displacement of the sliding element 1. The connection between the fuel container I and the sliding element 1 may in this case be permanent or detachable. The latter type of connection is obtained as shown in Figs. 1l and 12 by providing the fuel tank I with a projecting pin 22 or the like capable of engaging in an appropriate hole 2l in the sliding element 1. The stud I6 on the spring tongue I5 has associated therewith, above the detent I1, preferably two further detents 24, 25 with the aid of which the sliding element 1 and therefore also the fuel tank I can be fixed at two different levels. The arrangement of the one detent 24 is such that when the stud I 6 snaps into engagement the pressure piston 26 connected with the upper end of the flint spring l still closes the lateral aperture 2I in the flint guide 9, which serves for replacement of the flint 21, and therefore prevents the falling out of flint 21, whereas the pressing piston 26 completely closes the lateral aperture 2| when the other detent 25 is engaged by stud I6. It is of such a shape that the stud I6 is automatically forced out of the detents v25, 24 when pressure is exerted from above on the lighter lid I2 pertaining to the sliding element 1; in this manner the sliding element 1, together with the fuel tank may be transferred from any position occupied, with simultaneous tensioning of the flint spring 6, in one operation, back into the lower position in which the stud I6 engages detent I1. Since the wall oi' the guide casing 4, disposed opposite the wall having the detents l1, 24, 25, is provided with an indentation 28 (Fig. 8) the sliding element 1 lies snugly against the wall provided with the detents I1l 24, 25, so that the resilience of the tongue I5 is fully utilized, and the nose I8 snaps with certainty into one of the detents I1, 24, 25.

As long as the sliding element 1 with the fuel tank I is in the lowermost position (Figs. 7 and 8), in which the stud I6 of the tongue I5 engages with the detent I1, the lighter can be operated for ignition. If it is then desired to use the burning lighter as a torch or to ignite a difiicultly accessible object, e. g. a pipe, it is merely necessary to force the stud I8 by pressure exerted with a finger, out-of the detent I1, with the result that the released flint spring 5 jerks the sliding element 1 out of its guide casing tol such an extent that the stud I 5 automatically snaps into the next following detent 24 (Fig. 9). Since the fuel tank I participates, however, in the movement of the sliding element 1 the upper end portion of the fuel tank I with the wick then projects out of the sliell 2, with the result that the flame is exposed. 'Ihe pressing piston 26 projecting beyond the lateral aperture 2| prevents the falling out of fiint 21 even when the lighter is tilted. In order to change fiints the stud I6 must also be removed 7 and the sliding element 1 be from the detent 24,

further lifted by hand, in order that the stud I6 may engage with the uppermostl detent 25 (Figs. 10 and ll) In this position the flint may be introduced through the lateral aperture 2| in the flint guide 9 exposed by the pressing piston 26. When, nally, after the ignition of the wick, the sliding element 1 is also lifted with its stud I6 over the detent 25 the sliding element I and the fuel tank I may be removed upwards out of the guide casing 4 and the shell 2, after which the fuel tank I may be used like a candle after disengagement of the connecting meansv22, 23 between it and the sliding element 1.-

Instead of the tank I for liquid fuel, equipped with a wick, the shell 2 may also be tted with a.

fuse or tinder holder movable with the sliding element 1; it would also be possible if necessary to replace the fuel container I by a tinder holder and vice-versa.

I claim:

l. A pyrophoric lighter comprising a casing, a fuel container in the same, said fuel container being provided with a wick, a flint biasing spring mounted in said casing, a detachable unit carrying a friction Wheel, a flint-guide and a lighter cover, said unit being slidable in said casing, means to lock said unit Within said casing in at least one of the operating positions of the lighter and to release the same whereby on the one hand the fiint supporting spring is set under tension for the purpose of establishing said operating position and on the other hand said unit is ejected by said released spring lin order to permit the exchange of the flint.

2. A pyrophoric'lighter comprising a casing, a.

' fuel container in the same, said fuel container being provided with a wick, said casing having a lateral extension, a iiint biasing spring mounted on the bottom of said extension, a detachable unit carrying a friction wheel, a iiint guiding sleeve receiving said int spring and a lighter cover, said unit being slidable in said extension, means to automatically lock said unit Within said extension in at least one of the operating positions of the lighter and to release the same, whereby on the one hand the iiint biasing spring is set under tension for the purpose of establishing said operating position and on the other hand said unit is ejected by said released spring in order to per mit the exchange of the flint.

3. A pyrophoric lighter comprising a casing, a fuel container in the same, said fuel container being provided' with a Wick, a flint biasing spring mounted in said casing, a second detachable casing, a spring influenced rotatable friction wheel, an open-end nt guiding sleeve and a lighter cover in 'said second casing, said casing being slidable in said rst casing, means to lock said second casing Within said first casing in the position for ignition and to release the same whereby the flint supporting spring-vis put under tension for establishing the igniting position and said second casing is ejected by said released spring in order to permit the exchange of the lnt.

4. A pyrophoric lighter comprising a casing, a fuel container in said casing, said fuel container being provided with a wick, a int biasing spring Amounted in said casing, detachable unit carrying a friction Wheel a flint-guide and a. lighter cover, said unit being slidably arranged in said casing, snap fastening means adapted to lock said unit Within said casing in at least one of the operating positions of the lighter and to release said unit, said snap fastening means consisting of a resilient tongue formed directly from the casing wall of said detachable unit, said tongue cooper'- ating with at least one detent provided in the guide of said detachable unit, whereby on the one hand the flint supporting spring is tensioned for the purpose of establishing said operating position and on the other hand said unit is ejected by said released spring in order to permit the exchange of the int.

5. A pyrophoric lighter comprising a casing having a lateral extension, a fuel container in said casing, said fuel container being provided with a wick, a iiint biasing spring mounted on the bottom of said extension, a detachable unit carrying a friction wheel a flint guiding sleeve receiving said flint spring and a lighter cover, said flint guiding sleeve having a lateral aperture for inserting the flint, said aperture being accessible through the shanks of the spring-stressed stirrup connected with said lighter cover, said unit being slidable in said extension, means to automatically lock said unit within said extension in at least one of the operating positions of the lighter and to release the same, whereby on the one hand the flint biasing spring is set under tension for the purpose of establishing said operating position and on the other hand said unit is ejected bysaid released spring in order to permit the exchange of the flint. u

6. A pyrophoric lighter comprising a shell having a lateral extension, a fuel container in said shell, said fuel container being provided with a wick, a flint biasing spring mounted on the bottom of said extension, a detachable unit carrying a friction wheel, a flint guiding sleeve receiving said flint spring and a lighter cover, said unit being slidable in said extension, said fuel container being slidably arranged in said shell and disengageably connected with said unit, means to auto matically lock said unit Within said extension in at least one of the operating positions of the lighter and to release the same, whereby on the one hand the flint biasing spring is tensioned for the purpose of establishingl said operating position and on the other hand said unit is ejected by said released spring in order to permit the exchange of the int.

7. A lighter as claimed in claim i wherein a plurality of detents is provided and arranged one above the other.

8. A pyrophoric lighter comprising a shell having a lateral extension, a fuel container in said shell, said fuel container being provided with a wick, a flint biasing spring mounted on the bottom of said extension, a detachable unit carrying a friction wheel a iiint guiding sleeve receiving said flint spring and a lighter cover, said unit being slidably arranged in said extension, said fuel container being slidable in said shell and being provided with a pin cooperating with a hole provided in said unit, means to automatically lock said unit within, said extension in at least one of the operating positions of the lighter and to release the same, whereby on the one hand the int biasing spring is set under tension for the purpose of establishing said operating position and on the other hand said unit is ejected by said released spring in order to permit the exchange of the flint. y

ALFRED RACEK. 

